Dead Heat – Endless Torment | EP Review

Coming in with some of the best thrash/hardcore crossover music since the release of Power Trip's Nightmare Logic.

Known for their insanely high energy and aggressive sound, Dead Heat have managed to take influence from a plethora of genres including thrash, hardcore, punk, and metal. With that being said, the California foursome have made quite the name for themselves in the last couple years. Coming in with some of the best thrash/hardcore crossover music since the release of Power Trip‘s Nightmare Logic, which is quite the feat to say the least. Endless Torment contains five ferocious tracks all recorded by Armand John Anthony (Captain Quarters Studio) whilst being mixed and mastered by the talented Arthur Rizk, who has worked with the likes of Kreator, Power Trip, and Municipal Waste respectively. Not only is this the groups best music to date but it is also arguably the most important release of their careers. Dropping as a joint-partnership between Tankcrimes and the ever popular Triple B Records, listeners are going to be silly to sleep on this one.

Opening up this wicked display is the title track of the record, ‘Endless Torment’. Coming in with ferocious intent very fitting of an early 90’s Slayer record. Coupled with the perfect amount of hardcore undertone, this first track opens the record and sets the tone brilliantly. Also displaying to listeners exactly what they are in for and more within the albums first four minutes. Dead Heat shows similar crossover vibes to ever heavy Fugitive, leaning more into the thrash side of things, it had everything one would want from a respectable thrash metal album without it sounding repetitive and bland.

After Ripping through second track ‘Smite Thee’ with ease, the band stomps their way into the third song of the record titled ‘Eyes of the Real’. This one gives listeners a pounding drum piece paired with a sinister Ride The Lightning inspired set of riffs which gives off a similar feel to Metallica‘s timeless ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’. ‘Eyes of the Real’ feels very nostalgic in a sense whole displaying enough punk and hardcore undertones to still feel fresh, new, and exciting. Fans of 80’s thrash, 90’s hardcore, and 00’s American heavy metal are all sure to get that warm and fuzzy feeling we all get when we find a new album we can relate to and enjoy instantly. This track is arguably one of the best tracks on the EP.

If someone had said this was a new Municipal Waste record or new Power Trip EP, we’d have more than likely believed you. Dead Heat manage to encapsulate both bands perfectly on this record and thats even more prominent on track four, ‘Tears of the Wolf’. With some heavy verse riffs and a vocal display fitting of any thrash metal project, ‘Tears of the Wolf’ emulates 80’s/90’s thrash perfectly. While maintaining a level of composure, this piece has probably the catchiest chorus all record with guitar parts any bedroom shredder will love to learn and play along to. This track is sure to be stuck on repeat in any metal fans head following the release of this amazing record.

Taking inspiration from the thrash metal legends of the past while perfecting a sound modern thrash/hardcore bands have yet to hone in, Dead Heat set the bar way too high. Likely making this one of the best thrash records of the summer for sure. Readers need to be sure to listen to this one whenever and wherever they can as this record, as we’ve stated before, is sure to be the groups best work to date and should not be slept on for a second.